The God That Came Talking
I.Introduction.
Luke 24:25 NKJV 25 Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
Luke 24:44 NKJV 44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."
2.All prophecy is open to all to understand.
a)2 Peter 1:20-21 NKJV 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
3. All Scripture is given by God.
a)2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
4.God’s spoken word is not according to man’s wisdom.
a)1 Corinthians 2:13 NKJV 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Mark 1:38 NKJV 38 But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."
D.Christ sent Disciples to our to preach.
Luke 10:9.
1.Mark 16:15 NKJV 15 And He said to them, "Go into
all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
2.Acts 1:1-3 NKJV 1 The former account I made, O
Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in
which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments
to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive
after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty
days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
3.Promise to disciples John 16:13-14.
a)John 16:13-14 NKJV 13 "However, when He, the Spirit
of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on
His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you
things to come. 14 "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine
and declare it to you.
E.Central message: God’s sovereignty- man’s submission to
Him.
III.How did Jesus speak?
A.Controversially.
1.Samaritan Woman
a)John 4:22 NKJV 22 "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship,
for salvation is of the Jews.
B.Scathingly.
1. Against self-righteous religionist Matt. 23
C.Tenderly
1.Adulteress woman John 8
D.Patiently.
1.To Disciples and rulers (John 6:3).
E.Truthfully.
1.John 14:6 NKJV 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and
the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
F.What do we learn from all of this?
1.Jesus thought talking was an essential element in redemptions process
2.God’s Wisdom.
a) 1 Corinthians 1:21 NKJV 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world
through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the
message preached to save those who believe.
3.One must hear the word to be saved.
a) Romans 10:17 NKJV 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God.
4.If people are going to be saved, people have to talk about Jesus.
a)People are not converted accidentally they are talked into it.
5.Talking to them about Jesus won’t guarantee they will turn to Him.
a) But not talking to people will guarantee they won’t come to Him.
G.We also learn that God speaks firmly and
flawlessly through His…
1.Son Jesus
2.Apostles.
3.Scriptures.
4.His church.
a)This is where our responsibility is to point the lost to Jesus.
IV.Christians must speak firmly and flawlessly
for God Today.
A. You are called to go preach the Gospel.
1.Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV 19 "Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things
that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the
age." Amen.
B.Our faith is a taught faith, not a caught faith.
C. All of God’s counsel must be heard through our speaking His word.
1.A body of truth to be defended. John 3.
2.Speak of the Life that changes us, not just of our changed life.
a)Not “see how changed we are”
b)But “see WHO has redeemed and changed me!”
3.Our personal growth is emphasized on living for Christ.
a)All talk and no walk is wrong.
b)All walk and not talk is wrong.
1)Living Christ-like life alone will not bring people to Christ.
4.Someone must verbalize about our Savior.
5.Christians must do and say as much as we can.
V.
Noting can substitute For God’s Word.
A. Many doubt biblical teachings.
1.Some see the O.T. as spiritual Junk.
B.Some repent into the Gospel based on
“changed Lives”, not the Life that changed them.
1.Real danger – takes care of psychological and social.
2.Neglects spiritual.
C.Nothing substitutes.
1.Not cherished traditions
a)Matthew 15:6 NKJV 6 'then he need not honor his father
or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your
tradition.
2.Not Science.
a) 1 Timothy 6:20-21 NKJV 20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed
to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of
what is falsely called knowledge-- 21 by professing it some have strayed
concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
3.Not philosophy
a)Colossians 2:8 NKJV 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you
through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men,
according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
4.Not personal experience
a)Colossians 2:18 NKJV 18 Let no one cheat you of your
reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into
those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
5.Not someone’s exalted status (Gal. 1:8).
a)Galatians 1:8 NKJV 8 But even if we, or an angel from
heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let
him be accursed.
6.Not someone’s “good” life (Cornelius, Lydia).
VI.Conclusion.
A. God came talking – we are to hear Him!
B. God came talking – now His church must talk!!!!!
C. Are you listening to Him?